The main difference between child domain and tree domain is that child domain is a logical grouping of network objects (domain) under a parent domain while tree domain is a set of domains in the active directory hierarchy.
Overall, active directory is a directory service developed by Microsoft which operates similar to a usual directory. It helps in storing information about users, files, network resources and other objects. The domain controller is a server that uses the information of an active directory. And, this type of controller checks the user’s credentials and allow the users to access the required resources. Moreover, an object of an active directory is a physical entity that exists in the network. Therefore, a domain is a logical grouping of a set of objects whereas a child domain and tree domain are two terms related to a domain.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Child Domain
– Definition, Functionality
2. What is Tree Domain
– Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between Child Domain and Tree Domain
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Active Directory, Child Domain, DNS, Tree Domain
What is Child Domain
A tree domain or domain tree is formed according to the parent-child domain structure. When a domain is used as a specific domain, that domain is called the child domain. Additionally, the main domain is the parent domain.
For example, consider the above diagram. The acme.com.tw is the parent domain of the child domains sales.acme.com.tw, engineering.acme.com.tw, and admin.acme.com.tw. Moreover, the engineering.acme.com.tw is the parent domain of hardware.engineering.acme.com.tw and software.engineering.acme.com.tw child domains.
What is Tree Domain
It is possible to group a set of network objects. And, this kind of logical grouping is called a domain. A domain consists of objects such as users, computers, organization units and other related equipment. When a set of domains are connected together, it is called a tree, domain tree or a tree domain. Moreover, all the domains in the domain tree share a contiguous namespace.
The domains in the tree domain can communicate with each other using trusts. They can have two way or one-way trust. For instance, assume two domains inside a tree domain. In two-way trust, two domains can communicate with each other while in one-way trust, only one domain can communicate with other domain. Furthermore, the collection of two or more tree domains is a forest.
Difference Between Child Domain and Tree Domain
Definition
Child domain is a domain that is under a parent domain in an active directory domain hierarchy. In contrast, Tree domain is the group of domains with the same Domain Name System (DNS) found in Windows Active Directory. Thus, this explains the difference between child domain and tree domain.
Basis
Furthermore, child domain is a domain under another domain whereas tree domain is a set of domains.
Conclusion
In brief, the child domain and tree domain are two terms related to active directory. The main difference between child domain and tree domain is that child domain is a logical grouping of network objects (domain) under a parent domain while a tree domain is a set of domains in the active directory hierarchy.
References:
1.ManageEngine. YouTube, YouTube, 22 July 2011, Available here.
2.“Active Directory.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Apr. 2019, Available here.
3.“What Is a Domain Tree?” Computer Hope, 4 Oct. 2017, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1.”Active Directory” By 小朱 – Create by self (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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